2.11.2015

~Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,For today's post here on MTG Realm, we want to bring to your attention to an important Magic: the Gathering Memorial Tournament at the end of the month that is being held for Matthew Leasure, a former US vetran who had passed last year in Savannah, Georgia after a battle with PTSD. Matthew was very much an avid gamer and from what I've seen of his footprints online, a rather decent fellow who is certainly deeply missed. Although I served in the Canadian Armed Forces (think grizzlies with grenades), I never had a tour overseas and can only guess at what an impact upon one's state of mental health this may have.

Matthew is survived by his wife Lauren, who is organising a fundraising event for Active Heroes as well as a Magic: the Gathering Tournament. If you can support through the website of by attending the tournament, please do. Our love and sympathies to Lauren. Here are the details :

MATT'S MAGIC MAYHEM: A MEMORIAL MARATHONThe Matthew Leasure Memorial Magic: The Gathering EDH/Commander Tournament with side events to include drafts, standard PODs, and so much more.SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 2015 at 12:00 PMMORNINGSTAR GAMES - (912) 927-277030 West Montgomery Cross Road, Savannah, GA 31406

PRIZES for winners will include items such as rare cards from Matt’s personal collection, altered cards, inked playmats, and more. If you would like to donate to the prize pool, please contact me, Lauren Leasure at LaurenLeasure@gmail.comTHE GUILD HALL will donate$5 for each selfie taken at the event$10 if you are a serviceman/woman in uniform at the eventThey will donate UP TO $500! They need at least $50 to donate, so get those cameraphones ready and email heroes@theguildhall.com for your photo to count!ALL PROCEEDS will go to charity, specifically Active Heroes. (www.ActiveHeroes.org) Active Heroes’ mission is to strengthen active duty military, veterans and their families in order to provide the coping skills to manage the stress and the triggering points that lead to suicide.~Also of note - Artist Extraordinaire, and all-around decent human being Noah Bradley has created a wonderful piece of art featuring Matthews likeness. Noah is offering this playmat for a limited time only and will donate his profits to the Active Heroes campaign.